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Merritt tree removal rules and permits

Do I need permission to cut down a tree on my property?

Merritt, British ColumbiaChecked against official textSources read 2026-11-05

Short answer

The City of Merritt has no bylaw regulating tree cutting on private land. In wildfire and riparian (waterside) development permit areas, though, other removal likely needs a development permit. Trees in City parks and on boulevards are protected. Confirm with Planning first.

Key facts

When a permit is neededNo City bylaw regulates cutting trees on private land. In OCP wildfire (DPA 10) and riparian (DPA 11) development permit areas, tree removal alone is exempt only for hazardous trees with a qualified professional's report, so other removal there likely needs a development permit. Confirm with Planning.Official Community Plan, DPA 10 Wildfire Hazards, OCP s. 12.10.5 Exemptions · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The only activity being proposed onsite relates to the removal of hazardous trees and a report prepared
ExemptionsOnly in OCP development permit areas: removing hazardous trees is exempt from a development permit if the only activity is tree removal backed by a report. Wildfire area (DPA 10): report by a registered forest professional with danger tree or TRAQ qualifications. Riparian area (DPA 11): report by a QEP accepted by the City.Official Community Plan, DPA 10 Wildfire Hazards, OCP s. 12.10.5; Official Community Plan, DPA 11 Riparian, OCP s. 12.11.5 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
The only activity being proposed onsite relates to the removal of hazardous trees and a report prepared
Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications (TRAQ) concludes the tree(s) is (are)
Acceptance by the City of a report prepared by a QEP authorizing the removal of infested, diseased, or
hazardous trees
FeeNo tree-cutting permit fee found. If a development permit is needed in a riparian, geotechnical or wildfire area, the 2026 fee is $368.12 for each type.Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024, Schedules E and F, Schedule F · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Appeal to Council of a Staff Decision on a DP $614.70 $645.44 $677.71 Riparian/ Environmental DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Geotechnical DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85
Riparian/ Environmental DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Geotechnical DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Wildfire DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85
Geotechnical DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Wildfire DP $368.12 $386.53 $405.85 Development Variance Permit or Board of Variance
Replacement treesIn the steep slope hazard area (DPA 9), trees removed for site grading or other works should be replanted; avoid removal on steep slopes.Official Community Plan, DPA 9 Geotechnical, Steep Slope and Mining Hazards, OCP s. 12.9.26 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
Avoid tree removal on steep slopes, and if trees must be removed for site grading or other works, replant the
City treesNobody may cut, break, injure or destroy any tree in a park or boulevard. On conviction the penalty is $2,500 to $10,000 plus costs. Owners must maintain trees on the boulevard next to their property, and trim trees over a sidewalk or highway.City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024, s. 4.1, 6.3; Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2387, 2024, s. 12.1(a); Traffic Bylaw No. 1930, s. 606 · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
No person shall cut, pick, break, dig, pull up, injure or in any way destroy, change or
damage in whole or in part, any tree, shrub, plant, grounds, turf, flower, building,
is liable to a penalty of not less than
shall maintain all
ground covers and plant materials including but not limited to trees, shrubs, herbs,
Every person being the owner or occupier of real property shall cause
all trees, shrubs or other vegetation to be properly trimmed and cut
FineNo ticket for cutting a tree on private land (no permit rule). For damaging a park or boulevard tree: municipal ticket $100 (MTI Bylaw 2044 schedule, which cites the older Parks bylaw 2054), or court penalty $2,500 to $10,000.Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2044, MTI Bylaw 2044 schedule, Parks Regulation Bylaw · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
damage park 4.1 – 4.4 $100.00
BylawParks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024 (s. 4.1) for trees in parks and boulevards. No bylaw for trees on private land found.City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024, title · Wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
Official wording
“City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw 2385, 2024”

How it works

The City of Merritt has no bylaw that requires a permit to cut a tree on private land. The Official Community Plan (OCP) does set development permit areas, and in two of them tree removal needs care.

  • Wildfire area (DPA 10) and riparian area (DPA 11): removing hazardous trees is exempt from a development permit only if tree removal is the only activity and it is backed by a report. In DPA 10 the report is by a registered forest professional with danger tree or TRAQ qualifications; in DPA 11 it is by a Qualified Environmental Professional accepted by the City. Other removal there likely needs a development permit.
  • Steep slope area (DPA 9): trees removed for site grading or other works should be replanted, and removal on steep slopes should be avoided.

Steps

  1. Ask Planning & Development Services (250-378-8615) whether your property is in a development permit area.
  2. If it is, ask whether your removal needs a development permit, and get any required professional report.
  3. Never cut a tree in a park or on the boulevard (see below).

Good to know

  • City trees: nobody may cut, break, injure or destroy any tree in a park or boulevard. On conviction the penalty is $2,500 to $10,000 plus costs. A municipal ticket of $100 is listed in the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 2044, but it names an older Parks bylaw and may be out of date. Confirm with the City.
  • Owners must maintain trees on the boulevard next to their property and trim trees over a sidewalk or highway. Bylaw notices for hedge or tree encroachment and for trees over a highway are $100 ($75 if paid within 14 days).
  • No fine is stated for cutting a tree on private land.
  • Do not take this as final for DPA properties: the OCP does not clearly say whether tree removal alone counts as development. Confirm with Planning.

Official forms and pages

The same question in other places

Lytton · Kamloops · Princeton · Ashcroft · Peachland · West Kelowna

Tree removal permits in British Columbia, by municipality →

Sources

  1. Official Community Plan, DPA 10 Wildfire Hazards (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
  2. Official Community Plan, DPA 11 Riparian (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
  3. Official Community Plan, DPA 9 Geotechnical, Steep Slope and Mining Hazards (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
  4. City of Merritt Parks Regulation Bylaw No. 2385, 2024 (PDF) (read 2026-11-05)
  5. Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 2044 (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
  6. Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 2386, 2024 (PDF), Schedules E and F (read 2026-11-05)
  7. Good Neighbour Bylaw No. 2387, 2024 (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
  8. Traffic Bylaw No. 1930 (PDF), City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)
  9. Contact, City of Merritt (read 2026-11-05)

Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. How answers are checked.